Still much to do for schools

Still much to do for schools

It's time for a wake-up call.

Louisiana ranks 47th out of 50 states for student achievement. This is an improvement, considering that we used to be ranked 49th, but parents and teachers alike agree that our public schools can do more - a lot more - to serve all students.

With 250,000 students below grade-level and ill-prepared for college and careers of the future, it's clear that major improvements are needed. Although we're on a trajectory of improvement, we need to make sure that we don't get complacent. We need to continue to adapt. The Common Core State Standards - a state-led effort to prepare our students for 21st century learning - represent the greatest promise for improving educational opportunities for Louisiana's students that we've seen in a long time.

Over 45 states across the country have joined together to develop and adopt these standards and their accompanying assessments. In fact, Louisiana's Department of Education adopted these standards in 2010. That's because these standards ensure that our students will thrive in the 21st century. No longer will our students be asked to fill in a bubble with the right answer; rather, they'll be required to show their work, to justify their answers, and to use evidence.

They won't just learn how to add, subtract and multiply; they'll learn why their methods for addition, subtraction and multiplication work, and they'll learn how to apply algebra to the real world around them. This is the type of thinking required in today's world! We live in a different world today - globally connected, technologically driven and fast paced. The Common Core updates what our students need to know because it's time to ensure that our kids have the skills they need to compete and thrive after graduating.

Businesses that are deeply embedded in Louisiana, like GE and ExxonMobil, have already indicated their support for the Common Core. Parent groups like the National PTA are also voicing their support, as are national and local teacher groups, like the American Federation of Teachers and Louisiana Teacher Leaders. As parents, business leaders, educators, and other community members, we need to continue to pull together to provide the strong foundation that our public schools need. We need to support our students and schools as they transition to the Common Core State Standards. It's what Louisiana's students deserve.

Rayne Martin

New Orleans

Two school boards is one too many

I have a question regarding the two school boards in Ouachita Parish. Why is there a need for both. I don't have a dog in this hunt, but two boards is one too many. You never hardly hear about one, and the other is a bad comedy.

In south Louisiana each parish has a school board. Seems to me one school board would be plenty for a parish the size of Ouachita, and may stop some of the bickering within the Monroe School System. After all, the board is supposed to advance education, not your own agenda.

Tommy Price

Rayville

Leaders don't dictate, they guide

Ms. Marilyn Miller, who admired our president in Friday's opinion section, must not have children or grandchildren, who now each owe Washington D.C. $53,000 in taxes - double what it was in 2008 and increasing. Or she's schooling them on how they can get a case worker and can survive on "free" taxpayer dollars; that they never have to work for a living or realize their full potential or talents.

She doesn't think they can take care of themselves or their families without our government's help? It's the only reason you'd admire this president. Leader? Leaders guide, they don't dictate. Nothing personal Ms. Miller.

Shawna Lozada

Monroe

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Still much to do for schools

It's time for a wake-up call. Louisiana ranks 47th out of 50 states for student achievement.